GIVEAWAY!!!!! THERE IS ONE!!!!!!

Guess what, dearest internet friends (I didn't meet you in a chat-room, so it's not sketchy)? I have a giveaway for you! As promised, this is the first awesomesauce schwag-fest in a series of -- you guessed it -- 5. We're rolling like Shirley Temple in that one sad movie about small princesses, and giving you something for our birthday (it's cool if you want to send us something too though. . . you know, like a card with a duckling on it or something. . . just an idea). Here are the deets:


Mymemories.com has graciously offered a wicked rad digital scrapbooking suite to one lucky-ducky FIVE reader, gratis. I got to test it out, and it's pretty suite (PUN!). And that's coming from someone who has been taunted for not knowing what a 'brad' is; I know what they are now, and they have them in this software. The suite lets you channel all of your crafty self into an easy-to-use page proofing tool with tons of different design options. When you finish, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in the digital world, print pages on your own, order a bound book from mymemories.com, or recreate the designs with actual brads.

To enter, do all of the following:

☞ Follow FIVE................................................................................................
☞ Check out mymemories.com (their pages are far superior to mine)........

☞ Share an innovative scrapbooking topic (i.e. microbes) in the comments.

I know that's a lot, but it's for the sake of awesome free stuff, right? We'll probably announce the winner ~next Friday.


(Also, if you're liking the words that I'm saying but (heaven-forbid) don't win the giveaway, you still get a prize for being peachy keen: a coupon for $10 off of a MyMemories Suite. Just use this code at the check out: STMMMS99342)

Hit the jump to leave a comment (plus I made a bonus scrapbook page for you, and it's there).

5 Fail-Safe Ways to Make Friends

Making friends at school can be overwhelming, but you know what's even more overwhelming? The tremendous amount of pain and distress that accompanies those of us who don't have any friends! That's where I come in. As a professional psychologist*, I have devoted hours to studying how people make friends. During the course of my research, I have developed a revolutionary and fail-safe algorithm for making friends. Simply follow these instructions and you'll never be friendless again!

1. Whenever you encounter someone wearing a t-shirt, sweatshirt, sweater, polo, sweatband, hat, pair of sweat pants, pair of pajamas, pair of socks, pair of underwear, shoulder bag or backpack with the name of your school on it, express surprise and delight! The conversation should go something like this:

YOU: OH MY GOSH! You go to (insert the name of school)?
OTHER PERSON: Yeah.
YOU: THAT'S SO COOL! You aren't going to believe this, but I go to (insert name of school) too!
OTHER PERSON: Cool.
YOU: Yeah! This is kind of CRAZY! Gosh, such a coincidence. Do you live in the area?
OTHER PERSON: Yeah
YOU: That's amazing! I live here too! Do you know any other students from (insert name of school) who live in the area? If so, we should definitely get together.

Voila! You have a new friend. You've developed some common ground, expressed interest in something they do (people love that emotional connection crap)--and made plans to get together in the future! Now, if you follow the script carefully, you really can't go wrong. Trust me. I don't just give you this advice without testing it! I use step 1. all the time! I use it when coming out of my dining hall, walking across campus, studying in the library, going to the bathroom! It's tremendously versatile! THIS STUFF REALLY WORKS! For more tips on getting to know people, read on to steps 2-5.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Step 1. only works for people living on college campuses.

2. Repeat step 1.
3."                     "
4. Poke people! This friendly act is no longer reserved solely for facebook!
5. Finally, if you're a naturally likable, good-looking and funny person, BE YOURSELF!

With this system, making friends doesn't have to be overwhelming! Let me reiterate something: THIS STUFF WORKS! It is FAIL-SAFE (a term which commonly refers to something that is guaranteed to work). Good luck! Though, in all honesty, you really don't need any. If you follow this plan you will have friends coming out of your ears!!!

 This could be you!
Via

* I can say this because I'm taking a psychology class.

Tonight. On the Colbert Reporrrrrt.

I don't know if y'all read the news, but New York was the place to be last week.  What between  my boss appearing on the Colbert Report to talk about the book he wrote with a lot of help from Brother L , and Two's performance at Lincoln Center, the streets were PACKED--in the spirit of full disclosure, I think I heard something about a convention of some sort going on too.  And while it seemed very specialized (UNGeneral = specific?), I supposed some people might have turned up for that thing too.  

We had almost a complete TD delegation in town, and while the timing of our events was conflicting, in spirit they were at peace. So while Two and her crew went one way, Brother L and I had a blast at Colbert.  We poked around back stage, took pictures we weren't supposed to, and chatted with a couple of Colbert's 11 siblings. 

 Also, I must thank all those who encouraged me to wear this dress, it was a big hit with the big man! ( I believe his exact words were "And you wore a red, white, and blue dress? Boy, that's just too cute.)

Do you think he commissioned this, or did someone just paint it for him?

Brother L in the hot-seat!

Me in the hot-seat!

And Bossman in the hot-seat!!  To learn more about The Quest, take an energy quiz written by yours truly, and hear audio excerpts from the book check out the website at www.danielyergin.com

On Other Anniversaries or The Sound of Music...

One week, five road trips, four cities, three performances, two hospital stays, one debut and one surgery later, I am celebrating the two year anniversary of my first lung transplant. And while I love the people at the Cleveland Clinic and my insurance company (I love you Kaiser Permanente) -- they are amazing and a gift and I am so blessed to have them -- spending your transplant anniversary in the hospital being reevaluated for transplant is a little like spending your second wedding anniversary in family court preparing for divorce.



Mom said it was like The Sound of Music -- near the end when they are making preparations to leave Austria in the midst of this major competition that they eventually win, only to escape into the uncertain necessity of the alps. And though I never wanted to be cast as the reverend mother, she was onto something.... or at least Roger and Hammerstein were. We don't have to climb one mountain. We have to climb every mountain. Whether it is a mountain of dirty diapers, a mountain of debt, a mountain of sorrow, a mountain of disappointment, or an endless, monotonous trudge through the mundundity* of life, sometimes the ranges seem to go on forever. And the truth is, they do.



The purpose of life isn't to coast. It's to grow -- to climb higher. And it isn't easy. It necessitates endless change and work and hardship and trial and pain and discovery. Ask anyone with kids, bringing them up is not an easy task. But the greatest things in our lives -- the things that make life worth living -- never are. This whole transplant thing is not easy. My life is not easy. I literally would not wish it on another living soul. But in the same breath, I have been afforded the most unbelievable, unexpected and miraculous opportunities for love. From my heavenly and earthly families, from TFMT, from my wonderful friends, from my doctors, from strangers. It's not like war where there are people who want you dead. On the contrary. Everyone is knocking themselves out to keep me alive and to make my dreams come true. And while some of this is far beyond any nightmare I could ever conjure, the mountains of my life have opened vistas to truths that I could have never seen and with each door God has closed, his windows have opened, heaping love down onto me.


Thank you for your continued prayers.

Also... If you want to do something nice for me ( a little presumptuous, I know) write to my little brother. I'm having a hard time getting to the mail box, but he loves letters, pictures, food, anything that your time and budget allow. He's in Japan and could use the pick me up! Here's his info:

Elder TD
3-1-5 Yagiyama-Minami
Taihaku-ku
Sendai-Shi, Miyagi


*not in the dictionary, but it should be

An open letter, a Niçoise salad, and some great press for Two

Dear Friends,

Please excuse One's terrible neglect of her much-beloved blog. She is experiencing technical difficulties. Probably of her own creation, but she humbly asks affected parties to consider her other redeeming qualities, (e.g., facility with obscure Hungarian idioms; ability to knot cherry stems using only her tongue; adorable children), before passing overly harsh judgement.

One sheepishly requests the indulgence of her sisters in life and blogging in granting the privilege to revise and extend this week's remarks at some point in the near future. In the meantime, she hopes the meager offering of a brunch menu from back in July that she never got around to sharing is a not-entirely-insulting consolation prize.

Sincerely,

One (who is inexplicably speaking of herself in the third person; deal with it)

P.S. Scroll to the bottom of this article, to where is says "wrapping up" for a lovely summary of Two's triumphant performance in New York last week!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When not in Colorado, we usually spend Sundays gathered with some portion of the D.C. clan at Mimo's house.  It's one of my favorite unofficial traditions.

Here's a quick and easy menu we threw together earlier this Summer:

Niçoise-ish Salad

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Roasted Potatoes

Yummy Olives

Orecchiette

Flat Parsley

Capers

Blanched Haricots Verts

Italian Tuna

Eggs

Vinaigrette (I use this when I'm too lazy to make it myself)

Black Pepper

Lazy Lemon Cake with Goaty Glaze

I was inspired by this confection, but in no mood to spend the time to duplicate it. Here is a quick cheater's version.  Please don't tell Four I've blasphemed her art in this manner....

Prepare one box white cake mix according to package directions, EXCEPT substitute fresh lemon juice for the water. Also, add whatever zest those several juiced lemons yield.

While it's baking, mix half a Costco-sized log (or one regular log) chèvre with a couple tablespoons each of milk and lemon juice and enough powdered sugar to be delicious. Mine ended up glazy, but I bet it would be equally delicious if you skipped the milk altogether and went for fluffy/creamy.

When the cake is more or less cool, pour the glaze over and top with fresh berries. Take a bubble bath (or fold two loads laundry) with all the time you saved not baking from scratch.

P.S.(again) - This article kind of blew my mind. I'm trying to reform and feel obliged to spread the word to other neurotically-committed double-spacers out there...

Happy Anniversary Five!

Happy Anniversary Five!

To celebrate, we are going to be hosting five fantastic giveaways over the next five weeks.  We'll be rolling out a new list of sponsors with special discounts and five guest contributors.

So stay tuned!  From weddings to wettings (Princess H potty training is still in progress), schooling to surgeries, crafting to cooking, music to madness and everything before, after and in between, It's going to be an exciting few weeks here on FIVE!!

Thank you for joining us for some part or all of this year and hopefully, for years to come!

I Couldn't Resist. . .

 

Just a few more shots from Wednesday (how could I have pictures with Jessie Norman, Joshua Bell, a robot, Steve Martin, and the voice of God (a.k.a. Morgan Freeman) without sharing them?)

Farm Tour!

Fall is kind of my favorite. Crisp weather, chunky sweaters, changing leaves, apple cider, carved pumpkins, colorful tights, and pecan pies are just some of the things that make this time of year so enchanting. Five and I were able to experience some of these delights when we went on a tour of some Connecticut farms last week. 

Oops!

Premiering: Two

Two, accompanied by the Julliard Symphony Orchestra, debuting at Lincoln Center

^This wasn't what she sang,

but it sums up my feelings superbly. . .

(especially the part about still anticipating looooove)

(bum bum bum bum)

Consider the Cheese-Steak

Fact: I was almost named Philadelphia.

Saturday was my birthday (as some of you may have seen), and Dr. P celebrated it by spiriting me away to Philly for a day of phun, phood, and phine art.  I've been to the land of the liberty bell a couple of times now, and I've gotta say, I find it fan-freaking-tastic.

The city itself is much like the sandwich that bears its name.  The cheese-steak:  The heart of the dish is the steak, and steak is pretty classy stuff from what I hear, but then they smother this classy core in the ghetto-delicious that is cheese-wiz before tucking it into a long roll which is delivered for you to adorn with the condiments of your choosing.   Philly for its part has lot of new world elegance to it.  It is the cradle of our nation, and the streets and structures reflect that.  But anyone who has been there can tell you that Philly's also got its own wiz goin on.  The bread is in the location, so convenient to so many places people want to go, whether it be DC, NYC, Baltimore, or even the Jersey Shore.  But the real beauty of the city is not in the parts, you have to accept that it's a cheese-steak, which is to say you have to enjoy it whole.  If you eat a cheese-steak expecting just steak, you'll be disappointed and confused. But if you sink your teeth in--and maybe even add some relish and hot sauce--there's a good chance you'll become addicted.

*I'm currently on a train to NYC, and the internet gods are not cooperating with my attempts to upload pictures, so they'll be coming later. 

i am pretty sure someone is listening to all of the prayers.Thank you and I will continue to gratefully take any and all I can get. You are wonderful and thank you!

Things to EAT in Denver

Sometimes people ask me for travel tips on places I've lived or spent a lot of time.  The most recent place I've gotten questions about is Denver.  So here is my travel guide to Denver and Colorado surroundings.

Where to eat in Denver... 

Where to eat on the cheap: My favorite Mexican place, La Casita has some of the best green chili you will ever try and the tamales are some of the best in the country.  Even more exciting, a smothered bean burrito with all of the fixings will cost you less than 5 bucks.  A must visit.  Rosa Linda's is another of my other favorites.  Try their cactus burrito.  It's absolutely different and delicious!  Tocabe is a fast, tastey take on American Indian food.  With options from buffalo tacos, medicine wheel nachos and Indian fry bread desserts, it won't be the lowest cholesterol meal you've ever had, but the ingredients are fresh and it's darn good food. For a western, crazy and gourmet take on a hotdog, hit up Jim Baker's Hot Dog Stand. You'll find things like rattlesnake, pheasant, bison and elk dogs.  Bring your camera to Little Man Ice Cream.  Not only do they have fantastic, off kilter flavors that change every day (from Chocolate and Ginger Sorbet, to Salted Caramel Pecan, Mexican Chocolate, Butterfinger Fudge and blueberry cinnamon -- it tastes just like blueberry pie) and make on site cones, they are located in a giant milk tin.  How cool is that?  

Where to eat on the medium: First, Parisi's is a fantastic Italian Deli.  Their foccacia sandwiches are outrageously good as is their gnocchi and most everything else on the menu.  They also have a fine dining establishment downstairs.  I am pretty happy with their deli food, but I have heard it too is excellent.   Swing Thai has a sumptuous green curry and the nummiest, savory sweet mango sticky rice I've ever had. I also love their tofu in special garlic sauce.  They are a local chain, so you can find them if different places around the city.  If you want some exquisite bites with a western flare, I would hit The Squeaky Bean. I am proud to say I found it before The New York Times did.  Also, not to be forgotten are BANG! really good spins on classic American faire, and Julia Blackbird, with modern New Mexican faire and one of my all time favorites.  Try the stuffed acorn squash with red chili or the chili rejenos with three kinds of goat cheese.  SO good.

Pricier faire: One of my favorites is Highland Garden Cafe. It's in two hundred+ year old victorian homes, the food is as lovely as the ambiance.  The menu changes daily, but their bread pudding doesn't and it is literally the best I have ever had.  I could drink their caramel sauce.  Z Cuisine is another spot that will not disappoint.  Really, one of the best restaurants in the country.   

NEXT TIME... The SITES!! 

Remembered: Goodbye Womb, Hello World!

Three, dearest Three, you have a nice smile [^ see above]

And a comfortable, casual, J.Crew chic style.

Your passion is boundless, your thoughts very deep

(And not all the commandments do you necessarily keep).

Your chapel's the kitchen, and you most every day

Whip up some nice praise, and worship sauté.

Your design sensibilities are truly acute;

I'll skip real rhyming to restate that you're cute.

You really love -- the genuine thing,

And your pronouncements have a perspicacious ring.

We love you too, in that there's no doubt

So the following with saying can go without:

We hope your day is better than best --

Have a super-great-wicked-fun-tastic 24th birthday fest!

A sign

So, I saw this:

while walking around New Haven the other day. I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with aliens. I wanted to give FIVE readership an exclusive heads-up:

PREPARE YOURSELF.

THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY COME IN PEACE.

You can thank me later.

Never ask me for directions. If I give them to you, don't listen.

Last weekend, after finishing dozens of hand drawings (mostly Five) and hundreds of pages of reading (mostly me) we decided to reward ourselves with a little field trip into New Haven. When venturing off campus, one has to be careful. New Haven is, after all, a real--relatively--gritty city. Needless to say I don't think Five was too keen handing over navigation responsibilities to me. Our conversation on the subject went something like this:

Four: "Last year Two and I discovered a really cool vintage shop here in New Haven."
Five: "Uh huh"
Four: "I think you'd really like it. I don't really know where it is, but I think I might remember if we wander around a little bit..."
Five: "I'd rather stay inside these hallowed walls."
Four: "But I'm pretty sure I kind of know where it is. I'm pretty sure I know the vicinity which Two and I were in when we found it, so we should be alright."
Five: "Hmm..."

 Here's the thing, I have a terrible habit of giving very authoritative, absolutely bogus directions. I wish people didn't trust me to get them where they needed to go, but they do (usually because I really think I know!). But, I'm almost always wrong. Despite my appalling history, Five decided to allow our little adventure. After winding my way in and out of streets for the better part of an hour, Five suggested we return to the comfort of our dorms. I asked if we could try just one more street. I was positive that this street would lead us to our intended destination. Rather hesitantly, Five agreed. We rounded the corner and, for once in my life I was right! We had arrived at the darling little shop. Five refused to try anything on, but given the stupendous selection of fairytale ballgowns, 1920s flapper dresses, Jackie-O inspired frocks and pill box hats, I couldn't resist.

*Five would also like to note that she has an extremely steady hand. Due to the lighting and her abhorrence of flashes, a longer exposure was necessary for the above pictures. This is how the one that I tried to take turned out:

Epic fail.

What you doin?

I have been doing quite a bit recently, and I haven't really posted about my activities, because I'm worried I'm not going to do them justice.  But now, I have so much to say and more just keeps on coming, so I have decided to do a little purge, and then expound later if the mood hits me...

So, here's what I've been up to!

Reading a lot of this...

so I can help design this...

Practicing my back swing...

 with him.

Making silly faces...

with her.

While saying CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

to this girl...

 and these two (it was the most fantastic, thoughtful wedding ever btw ♥)

Combing the beach...

and finding some of these...

but thinking of these!

And falling more in love everyday...

with you know who.

Say a little prayer for ... well... me.

There was a time when I felt sheepish asking for the prayers and help of others.  I was one of the people who did the praying and did the helping.  I was one of those rare souls who had an uncanny ability to buoy people up and never drag people down.

Or so I thought.

In one of the Universe's "teaching moments," my situation changed. My medical prognosis changed from totally healthy to freakishly ill and I needed people.  A lot.  This all climaxed just about two years ago when I received a bilateral lung transplant.

It's been an incredible two years with tremendous highs and lows that defied my very active imagination.  And now, just as some major events in my life are imminent -- from marriage to big debuts and world travel -- it seems like my body and my lungs are just having a hard time getting along or something.

Thankfully, I have an amazing family and amazing friends who are helping me with everything from moving to meals. So I am asking for the only thing that's left:  For your prayers.  It is easy to forget how fragile our lives are so I ask you one more thing: let the people you love know that you love them.  Because no matter how many prayers are said, at the end of it all, it is the love we share that will carry us forward.

On silver linings

It was a looooooong weekend.  And not in a good way.  More like a sick-as-a-dog-with-stomach-flu kind of way.  Not pretty.  The good news is I managed to pass whatever vile bug I had to Mr. One (but NOT the babies!).  So -- joy of joys! -- there was no way he could possibly get on his flight out to Denver last night.  The Princess, Tiny and I enjoyed his pallid, sweaty, listless company all day!  And, by late afternoon, he was actually conscious enough to tag along on a glorious sunlit picnic in the shadow of the temple where my parents got hitched (even if we had to keep the sandwiches downwind so he couldn't smell them).  Lovely.

Also, this burning question has been haunting me lately:  When it comes to cleaning supplies, do we really need anything other than diaper wipes?  I mean, they're engineered to clean the world's nastiest substance off of the sweetest, most delicate surface imaginable.  Shouldn't that mean they can clean anything off of everything?  Am I missing something here...?

School Projects

I thought that you may enjoy these. I know that some all of them are foul, but it's what lends them their charm.

via www.happyplace.com